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Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County Inc

EIN 16-1119247 · Watertown, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ASSIST AND PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO VICTIMS/SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

Income
$3.7 million
Spending
$3.2 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 71%
Employees
57
Volunteers
45
Highest pay
$122,096, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $273,111 spent. RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVICES: 24-HOUR SAFE SHELTER - EMERGENCY SAFE HOUSING FOR VICTIMS OF CRISIS AND THEIR DEPENDENT CHILDREN. SHELTER IS HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE. THE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, INC.IS ALSO THE HOMELESS SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND THEIR DEPENDENT CHILDREN, WHO ARE NOT EXPERIENCING FAMILY VIOLENCE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT BUT ARE IN A HOUSING CRISIS SITUATION.
  2. $2.3 million spent. NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVICES: 1) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOTLINE - CRISIS INTERVENTION,EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, SHELTER ADMISSION, AND INFORMATION/REFERRAL.2) ADVOCACY - 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE THAT INCLUDES SAFETY PLANNING, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, MEDICAL, HOUSING, AND SOCIAL SERVICES.3) COUNSELING- COUNSELING TO VICTIMS AND SECONDARY VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SETTINGS.4)IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TEAM - RESPONSE TEAM ADVOCATES RESPOND TO THE SCENE OF A DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL ASSAULT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ADVOCACY, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND INFORMATION/REFERRAL SERVICES.5) CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER OF NORTHERN NY - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES TO CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PHYSICAL ABUSE AND NON-OFFENDING FAMILY MEMBERS, USING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH AT A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT,THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND ONE LOCAL MEDICAL FACILITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1980.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.